ayoungboy | Spellbound

This week has been fucking exhausting. He'd been consuling all week and dealing with a threat over in Norway. Somebody trying to brew mind control potions, again. Why couldn't everybody just get along and stop fussing? He's finally back home, in England, heading up the wizarding council while they go over worldwide news, and he gets an invite - no, it isn't that. It's more of a demand, from King Pendragon.

He's a bit tired, really, and didn't feel like dealing with it. "Not now, thank you. Politely decline, for me?" He told the runner. "Send him some magical candy."

He just wanted to go home and finish his book, thank you. He didn't ask for these powers, but if he took a holiday the world would flip out. People held him in high regard for some reason - he wasn't that wise, or old. He was just a young man trying to do right. Yet somehow the King was demanding his presence.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

royalpratness

"Oh." It seems like they had misunderstood each other. "Okay, this is awkward." Groaning, Arthur rubs his palms over his face.

From:

ayoungboy

"Right. Of course." Merlin shrugs awkwardly and takes another step back. "Well if you just wanted a booty call," Merlin can't stop the hurt in his voice. "I'll just be off."

From:

royalpratness

"I thought that's what you wanted as well!" Arthur snaps back defensively.

From:

ayoungboy

"No. Not at all." Merlin frowns miserably. "Bye, Arthur." And then he's disappeared, dress still on the floor of Arthur's bathroom.

From:

royalpratness

"Merlin wait!" But it's already too late. "Shit." Arthur wonders why he keeps screwing this up with Merlin. He lets himself fall back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He doesn't dare to text Merlin again over the next few days. It feels weird, he had already gotten used to Merlin's presence in his life.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin eventually appears, after four days, looking worn out and overwrought. "Just here to return the clothes. See if there's any developments on the magic coalition." Merlin thrusts the hoodie towards him, one arm wrapped around his middle.

From:

royalpratness

Arthur takes the hoodie, hugging it to his chest. "Uhm, thanks. I still have your dress." He puts the hoodie down on his bed, going to retrieve the dress from his wardrobe. "No, no new developments as of yet. I've been in Canada for the past three days. Only came back a few hours go." He looks just as tired and worn out as Merlin.

From:

ayoungboy

"Thanks." Merlin says quietly, taking the dress. He doesn't say anything about their previous meeting and sighs internally. All he cared about. Nice. "Well, let me know when there are."

From:

royalpratness

"I'm meeting with my cabinet tomorrow and the cooperation is the first point on the agenda." Arthur sits back down, looking uncomfortable. "How was your week? It looks like you managed to avoid any fights." He gives Merlin a small smile.

From:

ayoungboy

"Hardly." Merlin doesn't offer much, just standing there sort of blank. "It was alright. More wizards think they can challenge Emrys and keep trying to kill you."

From:

royalpratness

"Lovely." Arthur sighs. "Ever since you've told me how many attempts on my life there are, I keep getting more and more paranoid."

From:

ayoungboy

"You should be. Danger is everywhere." Merlin says quietly.

From:

royalpratness

"It's not helping with my blood pressure." Arthur looks up at him, sighing. "Merlin, about last week.. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

From:

ayoungboy

"It's alright," Merlin sighs softly, staring down at the dress. "I shouldn't have thought you'd be interested like that."

From:

royalpratness

"No, I ...I would be interested, if circumstances were different." It sounds lame, even to him , but it's the truth.

From:

ayoungboy

"Sure you would." Merlin mutters quietly.

From:

royalpratness

"I mean it. We're both so busy. Where would you fit building a real relationship into?" Arthur sighs again, looking down at his feet.

From:

ayoungboy

"Of course." Merlin said dully, still staring at the dress. "It's fine, Arthur. Like I said, it was stupid."

From:

royalpratness

"No, it wasn't stupid at all. We're both pretty lonely, we like each other..." He shrugs, helplessly.

From:

ayoungboy

"But it can't happen." Merlin finishes for him.

From:

royalpratness

"I..." Arthur wants to reaffirm his earlier statement and say no but it's difficult. He makes a frustrated noise, rubbing his eyes. "I don't know."

From:

ayoungboy

"Well then there's nothing more to be said." Merlin says quietly, sounding morose. "I'll see you, Arthur."

From:

royalpratness

"Merlin, wait." This time, Arthur is on his feet before Merlin has disappeared. Without really thinking about it, he grabs the front of Merlin's shirt and yanks him into a kiss.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin gasps a little, surprised, and it takes a moment for him to melt into the kiss. But then he does, letting his eyes futter shut as he leans forward a little, into Arthur's grip.